He is also regarded as a consensual politician and is personally loyal to Mr Chirac.

But the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Paris says that as a career diplomat never elected to public office, he of all candidates most typifies the French elite so roundly rejected by the French people on Sunday.

After Mr Raffarin resigned, he said in a TV broadcast that he had made his decision independently of the EU vote.

He attempted to justify his attempts to reform France, but acknowledged these had not been accepted by the French people.

"I have always been aware that what is healthy for the nation does not go unblamed by public opinion," he said.

Opinion polls suggest that Mr Raffarin was one of France's most unpopular prime ministers since the Fifth Republic was set up in 1958.

He offered his support to his successor, who needed, he said, to continue the vital European project.